In the spring of 2022, Ontario passed legislation changing the requirements for license plate renewal for most vehicles. With this bill passed, the Ontario government made it much easier and painless for most motorists to renew their license plates by eliminating manual renewal for most Ontario motorists.
How much does it cost to renew your license plate? Will your license plate still need a sticker? Read on to find out more about the new process of renewing your Ontario license plate and which vehicles are eligible for automatic license plate renewal.
Do I Need to Renew My License Plate Sticker in Ontario?
If you’re driving a personal vehicle in Ontario, you may not need to manually renew your license plate anymore. Since July 1, 2024, Ontario has introduced automatic license plate renewal for the following vehicles:
- Passenger vehicles
- Light commercial vehicles under 3,000 kg
- Motorcycles
- Mopeds
For the vast majority of Ontario drivers, this means that your license plate will be automatically renewed every year without any need for manual input. However, there are some vehicles that still need to have their license plates manually renewed. These include:
- Commercial and business vehicles over 3,000 kg
- Motorhomes
- Vehicles manufactured before 1983
- Buses and school buses
- Snowmobiles
If you own any of these vehicles, you will need to physically go to ServiceOntario for license plate renewal or renew it online.
Take note that only drivers with a clean record and no outstanding fines will be eligible for automatic license plate renewal. You also need a valid auto insurance policy before your license plate can be renewed automatically. Since most license plates now get renewed automatically, Ontario no longer issues yearly registration stickers, giving you one less ting to worry about when it comes to renewing your license.
How Much Does Ontario License Plate Renewal Cost?
Renewing your Ontario license no longer costs anything, as long as you’re driving a personal vehicle or light commercial vehicle weighing under 3,000 kilos. Ontario has eliminated the need for license plate stickers, and consequently the need for any fees associated with them. However, if you have outstanding fines or penalties, you’ll need to pay those before you can renew your license plate.
If you have a vehicle that needs to be manually registered, you will still need to pay a fee to renew your license plate. These fees can go up to $200 depending on the type of vehicle you own.
Renewal Process for New Residents
If you’ve recently moved from another country or province, you may be wondering how to renew your license plate in Ontario. Renewing your license plate involves a few additional steps to ensure compliance with provincial regulations. Here’s a step-by-step guide for how to renew your license plate in Ontario:
- Notify the Ministry of Transportation: If you’ve changed your address, you must inform the Ministry of Transportation within six days of your move. This is crucial for ensuring that your vehicle registration reflects your current address.
- Gather Required Information: To renew your license plate, you will need:
- Your license plate number
- Vehicle permit number (found on the back of your green ownership slip)
- Name of your insurance company and policy number
- Odometer reading
- Choose Your Renewal Method: You can renew your license plate either online or in person:
- Online: Visit the ServiceOntario website’s license renewal page. The online process is quick and typically takes about two minutes. After completing the renewal, you’ll receive a confirmation email.
- In-Person: If you prefer to renew in person, visit a nearby ServiceOntario center to renew your license plate personally. This option is ideal for those who may not be comfortable with online processes.
- Outstanding Fees: Before renewing, ensure that any outstanding fines, tolls, or fees are paid. This step is essential, as unpaid fees can prevent your renewal from being processed.
- Keep Records: After renewing, keep a copy of the receipt in your vehicle. While you won’t receive a sticker, having proof of renewal can be helpful in case of any inquiries from law enforcement.
Important Factors to Consider
Even though sticker fees were abolished for most Ontario drivers, you could still receive fines for driving without a renewed license plate. If you’re caught driving without an up-to-date license plate, you can be fined up to $1,000, while driving without an up-to-date driver’s license can net you fines up to $260.
Law enforcement agencies use Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) technology to check for expired registrations, so you don’t even need to get pulled over to get caught. It’s important to make sure your driver’s license and plates are always up-to-date so you can avoid racking up unwanted fees.
If you own a vehicle that isn’t eligible for automatic plate renewal – such as a heavy commercial vehicle, a bus, or a historical vehicle – you still need to manually renew your plates every year. Fortunately, you can sign up for digital reminders through ServiceOntario, allowing you to receive emails 60 and 30 days before your renewal date. Take note that for these kinds of vehicles, you still need to pay a renewal fee, unlike regular passenger vehicles.
Key Advice from MyChoice
- Make sure that your license plate is properly renewed since getting caught driving without a valid plate can lead to fines of up to $1,000 and a potential license suspension.
- Keeping your auto insurance policy updated is important to ensure that you’re eligible for automatic license plate renewal.
- You still need to manually renew your license plate and pay a renewal fee if you own a heavy commercial vehicle, bus, motorhome, or historical vehicle.